Picture an International Olympic Committee, far in the future, facing this situation.

The ultimate performance has been achieved in many Olympic events. Several competitors in each event are capable of achieving that ultimate performance. Instead of a single gold medalist, there are likely to be two, three, four, or more athletes tied for first place in many events.

Is this situation possible, far ahead?

"If you want to get into fantasy and speculation about the future," says Albert B. Craig, MD (who obviously does not), "it might be something like that."

At the moment, says Dr Craig, who is professor of physiology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, "when you come to the Olympics, the purpose is to be world champion. Although world records may be established, performing in record time [in racing events] is secondary. Beating everyone else is the primary thing. You do what